EU-LAC Women's Political Leadership School 2026 Applications Open

The EU-LAC Birregional School of Local Political Leadership for Women (BELPL) 2026 has launched its applications. The EU-LAC Foundation has opened the applications for the EU-LAC Birregional School of Local Political Leadership for Women 2026, a leadership development program for women aimed at strengthening their participation in local governance and public decision-making in the region of Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. It's the second iteration of the program, with a plan to meet again in October 2026 in Panama, where new and seasoned women leaders will connect for training, networking and sharing of knowledge.

The school aims to build capacity in women's leadership, tools and policy knowledge in the area of Democratic, inclusive and community-centred development, as a strategic space for learning and collaboration. It is a feminist, intersectional and human rights approach which builds the capacities of advocates within a region and addresses local governance issues based on their advocacy work.

Key Highlights:

• Applications open for the EU-LAC Women's Leadership School 2026
• Scholarships available covering travel, accommodation and training
• Applications close on 24 July 2026

The program will be made up of a series of virtual preparatory lessons, followed by an intensive training program in Panama. This is a hybrid format designed to increase the accessibility of participation and to promote dialogue and collaboration between women leaders from different cultural, political and social backgrounds, organizers state. Training will take place on political leadership, strategic communication, negotiation, public management and advocacy, and participants will have the opportunity to establish cross-regional professional networks.

One of the key goals of the project is to improve women's political representation in local governance processes and to strengthen their leadership capacity to help shape democratic governance and inclusive development. The school also supports intergenerational mentoring, in which seasoned women leaders pass on their expertise to younger women, and enhance long-term leadership networks across both regions.

The EU-LAC Foundation will offer scholarships for selected applicants who cannot fund their participation, to encourage wider participation. The financial assistance includes return international flight, accommodation, local transportation and a daily allowance for meals while in Panama for the in-person program. These costs will be covered directly by the Foundation for those who are accepted into the program and indicated financial need in the application process.

The program is available for young women leaders who are working in some kind of political, community or social activity. Applicants must provide evidence of membership of a recognized organization, network or institution, and a letter of support. They also have to agree to attend the virtual preparatory lessons, and attend the program and follow-up sessions after the school has ended.

The Foundation will priorities candidates who have had local or regional political leadership experience or demonstrated a commitment to it, either in local government, municipal councils, community organizations, neighborhood networks or feminist organizations.

In addition, the selection process will also take into account interest in issues of gender equality, civic participation, and local development and EU-LAC relations. Candidates must also demonstrate a desire to share experiences, learn from other practitioners from around the world and participate in the EU-LAC WIN Network, which aims to strengthen the capacities of women leaders at the municipal and community level in political leadership.

Applications are being accepted until 24 July 2026. The EU-LAC Foundation sees the program as a contribution to its work to help build cooperation between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean and to support women's leadership as an effective lever for democratic governance, inclusive policy making and sustainable local development.